I made it to the top!

This morning I picked up a road bike at Gearing Up. I headed to Hwy. 518 to ride on a marked bike route that follows part of the Taos Scenic Byway. We had driven this route on yesterday's journey to Nambe Falls and I decided I'd at least ride to where the marked bike route ended...about 7-8 miles from the start intersection of Hwy. 68 and Hwy. 518. It seemed hilly enough to get to that point, given that I am a low-lander in high-lander country...only getting one third the air I am used to in Fort Worth.

Anyway, at 10:30 AM I got on the bike, a carbon-fiber Specialized, and was pleased to find out that it had a third chain ring. So, I was rolling along and got to the end of the marked bike route in 30 minutes. I figured, geez, I am not going back this soon. So, I started up to the pass (aka U.S. Hill). I decided I would go as far as I could.

This is where the third chain ring came in handy. I stopped a couple of times to catch my breath, but I made it to the top! Yea! I was at the top about 11:50 AM. I had gone about 10 miles, mostly up...probably a 2000 ft. elevation gain. I think it was a great accomplishment for a low-lander.

Coming down was fun and fast. I put it in high gear and pedaled to get more speed. I probably was going over 50 mph. The posted limit is 55.

So, climbing the hills (mountains) is not as intimidating as I imagined!